INDEPENDENT NEWS

Mature residents survey 2012 results to be launched

Published: Mon 27 May 2013 04:14 PM
Media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, 27 May 2013
Upper Hutt’s mature residents survey 2012 results to be launched
Expressions Upper Hutt will host the official launch of the results of the 2012 Mature residents survey on Tuesday night.
UPPER HUTT, Wellington NZ, 27 MAY 2013—The results of the 2012 Upper Hutt Mature residents survey will be officially launched at 5.00 pm on Tuesday 28 May at Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre. Mayor Wayne Guppy will deliver an opening address followed by Shayne Nahu from the District Health Board’s Service Integration and Development Unit, and Mary Richardson representing Upper Hutt's mature residents.
Council’s first survey of Mature Residents was carried out in 2008, in order to take a broad look at older adults’ health and wellbeing and to identify specific areas of need within the Upper Hutt community. The results of the 2008 survey contributed to a number of initiatives such as the award-winning DIScover programme, and a Public Transport Open Day to trial accessible features on public transport, along with Council advocacy concerning social isolation in older adults.
“The results from the 2008 survey now provide us with a baseline for recognising any issues that may have arisen over time as we develop solutions for particular issues that our mature residents are experiencing,” says Stephen Smith, Council’s Community Development Advisor. “The 2012 results are also providing us with an effective feedback mechanism for the initiatives that we have undertaken since the last survey.”
The 2012 results have highlighted areas that Upper Hutt as a community can be proud of, as well as areas to improve on. They are assisting Council in identifying the needs of older residents by providing direction to where Council can make changes to its own services, whilst serving as a basis of evidence for other agencies in their efforts to make improvements for older people.
Council received a successful return of 768 responses, which equates to approximately 7% of the total population of those over 50 living in Upper Hutt. “That represents a large number of stories on what life is like here for people as they age. There appears to be a trend toward a ‘working poor’ in their late-50s to early-60s along with several other trends which are of interest to social service providers,” says Andrea Curtis, Director of Community Services. “Trends from the last survey around social isolation and loneliness continue to be of concern, but—in general— people believe Upper Hutt is a great place to live.”
The report will be available online at www.upperhuttcity.com. For a printed copy, please contact Stephen Smith, on (04) 527 2798 or email Stephen.Smith@uhcc.govt.nz.
About Upper Hutt City Council
Upper Hutt City Council is the steward and custodian of Upper Hutt City, providing governance, infrastructure, and community services and resources, and promoting opportunity in the city for business, recreation, lifestyle, and leisure. Upper Hutt City is located 30 km north-east of Wellington City (41°07'34" S, 175°04'06" E) and boasts 70% of the region’s parks and reserves, along with state-of-the-art entertainment and leisure facilities.
ENDS

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